Recaps

Sunagakure learned from the Heavenly Screen that Sasori had killed the Third Kazekage, while Granny Chiyo, Deidara, and Orochimaru reacted to the revelation. In the battle, Granny Chiyo and Sakura defeated Sasori, and Granny Chiyo used her life-transfer technique to save Sakura as Sasori died.

• Sunagakure's ninjas discovered that Sasori had killed the Third Kazekage, and Granny Chiyo watched the revelation with grief and regret.
• Deidara admired Sasori's true form, while Orochimaru recognized Sasori's pursuit of immortality and became interested in his methods.
• Sasori recovered from his shattered body and faced Granny Chiyo's Chikamatsu Ten Puppets with his Performance of a Hundred Puppets.
• Sakura struck Sasori with a puppet head, but Sasori stabbed her with a poisoned blade before Granny Chiyo's Father and Mother puppets pierced his core.
• Granny Chiyo revealed that she had developed a technique to transfer life force for Sasori's sake and used it to save Sakura.
• Sasori died as Granny Chiyo mourned him and hoped he would find peace in the next world.

The Heavenly Screen’s footage of Sasori’s defeat exposed Akatsuki further and stirred reactions across the Shinobi World. Tsunade decided to return to Konoha, while Jiraiya set out to meet her and Orochimaru renewed his resolve to pursue immortality.

• Nagato realized Akatsuki could no longer remain secret and told Konan that they might need to accelerate their plans.
• After seeing Sakura fight on the Heavenly Screen, Tsunade left the outpost with Shizune to return to Konoha.
• Naruto praised Sakura’s future strength, Sasuke resolved not to fall behind, and Kakashi watched his students with pride.
• Deidara protested Sasori’s future defeat, but Sasori calmly said that death was another form of eternity as the other Akatsuki members reacted to the footage.
• Jiraiya headed to the outpost to meet Tsunade after concluding that she had returned to the village.
• Orochimaru dismissed Sasori’s failed pursuit of eternity and reaffirmed his own ambition to achieve immortality.

The Chunin Exam preliminaries ended with eleven candidates advancing, while two injured candidates were set to compete later for the final place. Meanwhile, Fū ran away from her Waterfall escorts, determined to find Naruto and become his friend.

• Kabuto Yakushi and two injured candidates withdrew, leaving twenty-four contestants for the preliminaries.
• Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, Dosu Kinuta, Gaara, Neji, Temari, Shino, Kankuro, Kurotsuchi, and Oiwa won their matches; Sakura and Ino drew.
• Gekko Hayate announced the eleven advancing candidates and said the injured candidates would compete later for the remaining place.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Konoha teachers praised and comforted the young ninja after their matches.
• Fū ran through the forest while Waterfall ninja chased her, insisting that they take her to Konoha so she could meet Naruto.

After the Heavenly Screen revealed the Akatsuki’s threat to the Tailed Beasts, Ōnoki tried to recall Iwagakure’s Jinchūriki while Obito searched for the Three-Tails’ revival site. On the moon, the screen’s war footage strengthened Toneri’s resolve to destroy and remake the Shinobi World.

• Ōnoki warned Iwagakure’s leaders about the Akatsuki and called Roshi and Han back, but Roshi refused and Han said he would return after mastering the Five-Tails’ power.
• Ōnoki accepted that Roshi and Han would not return and ordered Iwagakure to strengthen its defenses and monitor the Akatsuki.
• Yugito Nii led her squad on a mission while Killer B prepared for a concert, and Utakata continued training his disciple Hotaru in seclusion.
• Obito and Zetsu searched a fourth likely location for the Three-Tails’ revival and stationed White Zetsu at possible sites to watch for it.
• Toneri watched footage of wars and destruction on the Heavenly Screen and concluded that the Shinobi World was beyond saving, renewing his determination to destroy it.

Jiraiya met Tsunade as she returned to Konoha and tried to persuade her to become Hokage, but she refused and agreed only to visit their former teacher. Meanwhile, Orochimaru adjusted his plans around their return, and the daimyos began considering ways to restrain the power of the ninja villages.

• Candidates who failed the Chunin Ninja Exams spent their free time in Konoha and reflected on how they would improve before the next exams.
• Jiraiya encountered Tsunade and Shizune at Konoha's entrance and urged Tsunade to become Hokage, but she rejected the position.
• Tsunade agreed to visit their former teacher after Jiraiya asked, while insisting she would not change her mind about becoming Hokage.
• Orochimaru learned that Jiraiya and Tsunade had returned, revealed his Impure World Reincarnation preparations, and planned to use Dan Katō's remains to distract them.
• The daimyos discussed how the Heavenly Screen's revelations had exposed the ninja villages' power and considered ways to weaken or counter them.

Karin escaped Kusagakure’s abuse and sought help from Naruto, who welcomed her into Konoha after Hiruzen approved her stay under Team 7’s care. Danzo failed to gain control of her and ordered Root to investigate her, while Hiruzen remained uncertain who should inherit Konoha’s future.

• Karin fled Kusagakure and found Naruto, telling him she was an Uzumaki and asking for help.
• Kakashi brought Karin to Hiruzen, who accepted her into Konoha and assigned her temporary care to Team 7.
• Two Kusagakure ninja searching for Karin entered Danzo’s hidden base and were killed by Sound Ninja.
• Danzo urged Hiruzen to hand Karin over to Root, but Hiruzen refused and insisted she would stay in Konoha.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade visited Hiruzen, who raised the Hokage succession question before Tsunade left with Jiraiya.
• Hiruzen watched the sunlight and wondered who should inherit Konoha’s future.

Karin settled into Konoha, where Tsunade treated her injuries and offered to teach her Medical Ninjutsu, while Orochimaru secretly considered taking her for her Uzumaki abilities. Meanwhile, Kakashi trained Sasuke in advanced Chidori techniques, and Danzo prepared to move against Hiruzen and seize the Hokage Position.

• Naruto introduced Karin to his friends in Konoha, and they welcomed her warmly.
• Naruto brought Karin to meet Jiraiya and Tsunade, and Tsunade treated her injuries and offered to teach her Medical Ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru watched Karin from the guesthouse and considered abducting her after his plans to destroy Konoha and take Sasuke's body were complete.
• Kakashi demonstrated Chidori Stream: Lightning Net and trained Sasuke to fight through a Shadow Clone encirclement.
• Danzo recalled losing his chance to become Hokage to Hiruzen and went to his secret chamber, vowing to take power by any means necessary.

The Heavenly Screen showed the future battle between Sage Kabuto and the Uchiha brothers, shocking Sasuke and revealing that he would one day fight alongside Itachi. Itachi and Orochimaru watched the scenes and began reconsidering what the future held for Sasuke and Kabuto.

• The Heavenly Screen showed Itachi and Sasuke entering a cave to confront Sage Kabuto, with Itachi watching his younger brother with affection and concern.
• Sasuke erupted in anger at seeing himself beside Itachi, but Kakashi and an Anbu explained that the screen might be showing the future.
• Sasuke calmed down and left to be alone, while Kakashi acknowledged that the truths ahead might be more painful than revenge.
• Itachi watched the screen with Kisame and realized that his future self would be resurrected and would team up with Sasuke against Kabuto.
• Orochimaru recognized Kabuto's Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode and wondered why Sasuke had escaped becoming his vessel, concluding that he needed to reassess both Sasuke and Kabuto.

Sasuke and Itachi fought Sage Kabuto in the cave, countering his techniques through observation and teamwork. As the Heavenly Screen showed their battle, shinobi across the world questioned Itachi’s past, while the real Kabuto watched and acknowledged Itachi as a dangerous opponent.

• Kabuto attacked Sasuke and Itachi with giant snakes, but their Susanoo defeated the assault and exposed his snake clone.
• Kabuto used the White Rage Technique to blind and disorient the brothers, but Itachi spotted the technique’s weakness and Sasuke helped interrupt it.
• Itachi destroyed Kabuto’s amplification barrier, and Sasuke’s Chidori Sharp Spear forced Kabuto to shed his skin to escape.
• Kabuto tried to provoke Sasuke by recalling their past and accusing the brothers of being unable to trust each other, but Sasuke remembered hunting a wild boar with Itachi and stayed calm.
• Sasuke feinted with his Susanoo bow while Itachi struck Kabuto from the blind spot, severing one of his horns.
• Shinobi watching the Heavenly Screen debated the Uchiha clan’s destruction, while the real Kabuto admitted he could not underestimate Itachi.

Itachi trapped Kabuto with Izanami and released the Impure World Reincarnation before telling Sasuke the truth about the massacre and saying goodbye. Sasuke rejected the fragments he had seen and set out to learn the full truth, while the Heavenly Screen began a thirty-day countdown and Nagato ordered Akatsuki members to suspend their missions.

• Itachi used Izanami to trap Kabuto in a repeating moment, and Sasuke released the Impure World Reincarnation controlling him.
• As Itachi faded away, he showed Sasuke the truth and told him he would always love him, whether Sasuke forgave him or not.
• The Shinobi World reacted to Itachi's farewell, while Sasuke erupted in anger and vowed to uncover what really happened during the Uchiha massacre.
• The Heavenly Screen displayed a thirty-day countdown until its next content, leaving shinobi across the world anxious about the delay.
• Nagato ordered Akatsuki to suspend all missions and told Kisame and Itachi to stay put, while Itachi said he had things to confirm.

After seeing the Uchiha tragedy on the Heavenly Screen, Chino learned that the Uchiha had been falsely blamed for the Chinoike Clan’s exile and chose to leave Hell Valley with her father. In Konoha, Hyuga Hiashi reflected on his clan’s past and watched Neji instruct a Branch Family child.

• Chino grieved over the Uchiha brothers’ fate, and Oyashiro En told her that revenge only bred more revenge.
• Oyashiro En showed Chino a daimyo’s diary revealing that the Uchiha had only been ordered to guard the Chinoike Clan, which had been framed in a political conspiracy.
• Oyashiro En admitted he had trained Chino to seek revenge because he was blinded by hatred, and he urged her to live for the future.
• Chino decided to see the world as herself rather than as an avenger, and she and Oyashiro En left Hell Valley together.
• Hyuga Hiashi reflected on the Caged Bird Seal, his brother Hizashi, and Neji, then watched Neji gently correct a Branch Family child’s stance.

Kakashi led Team 7 on a mission to escort Yukie Fujikaze back to the Land of Snow, where she reclaimed her throne by defeating her uncle Dotō and restoring the country’s geothermal system. After returning to Konoha, Naruto exaggerated the team’s exploits to their friends while Kakashi gave Team 7 an A-rank evaluation.

• Kakashi accepted a mission to escort actress Yukie Fujikaze to the Land of Snow and prepared Team 7 for the journey.
• Koyuki revealed that her crystal key could activate the geothermal system, while Jiraiya joined the mission and secretly prepared a defensive barrier.
• Kakashi and Team 7 spotted Snow Ninja reconnaissance puppets at the port, then joined Sandayū and the resistance at an abandoned mine to plan against Dotō’s Chakra amplifiers.
• During the final battle, Sakura destroyed the last amplifier, Koyuki activated the geothermal system, and Sasuke killed Dotō after his Chakra Armor failed.
• Koyuki reclaimed the throne and gave Kakashi an alliance scroll before the team returned to Konoha with a promise of a hot-spring invitation.
• Naruto boasted to Konoha’s young ninja about the mission, while Kakashi watched and marked Team 7’s evaluation as A-rank.

As the Chunin Ninja Exams approached, Konoha’s contestants prepared while Orochimaru, Danzō, and the Akatsuki advanced their secret plans. The chapter ended with Nagato awaiting the coming chaos and declaring that the world would find salvation in two years.

• Sasuke Uchiha, Neji Hyuga, Shikamaru Nara, and Naruto Uzumaki trained for the Chunin Ninja Exams as Konoha welcomed visitors and Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted dignitaries.
• Orochimaru disguised as the Fourth Kazekage prepared Impure World Reincarnation with three coffins, while Shimura Danzō plotted to end Hiruzen Sarutobi’s era.
• Takigakure’s ninja persuaded Fū to wait until after the exams for an official visit to Konoha, and Zetsu secretly reported her location to Pain.
• Pain and Konan discussed the Six-Tails’ whereabouts and waited for chaos in Konoha, while Obito Uchiha and Zetsu continued their plans in the Kamui Dimension and underground.
• The Akatsuki members held off on major jobs as White Zetsu Clones gathered intelligence across the Five Great Nations.
• Nagato watched the rain fall in Amegakure and said that the world would find true salvation in two years.

Sasuke questioned Konoha’s role in the Uchiha massacre after the Heavenly Screen revealed Danzo’s Sharingan-covered arm, while an Anbu urged him to seek power from Orochimaru. As tensions rose across Konoha, Orochimaru recruited Kabuto into his plans, and the chapter left the village’s shinobi uneasy about Root’s activity and the secrets the Heavenly Screen had exposed.

• Sasuke trained furiously and wondered whether Konoha’s leaders had helped cause or cover up the Uchiha massacre.
• An Anbu told Sasuke that Orochimaru owned the Kusanagi Sword and said someone would meet him after the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Hiruzen ordered Danzo to suspend all Root operations and keep his people in Konoha, while confronting him about the Sharingan in his arm.
• Orochimaru promised Kabuto a chance to visit Ryūchi Cave after their plan and identified him as key to the Konoha Crush.
• Asuma, Kurenai, Might Guy, and Anko privately discussed Danzo’s arm and Root’s increased activity before a Root member appeared at their izakaya.

After the Heavenly Screen showed the Uchiha brothers, the great villages reacted to the shifting balance of power: Kumogakure searched for the Six Paths' treasures, Chiyo investigated Rasa's secret plans, and Nagato learned that the Land of Snow had fallen into factional conflict. The chapter left Nagato condemning the great nations for bringing destruction to smaller lands.

• Ōnoki remembered his encounter with Madara, while Mei Terumi and A reflected on the Uchiha brothers' strength and the clan's decline.
• A ordered Mabui to send Yugito Nii and Darui to search for Kinkaku and Ginkaku's Six Paths' treasures, and told her to get B involved.
• Chiyo confronted Sunagakure's leaders over Rasa's unexplained absence and the reassignment of elite forces, then searched the archives for clues.
• Chiyo discovered that Rasa had sent Anbu to the Land of Rivers–Land of Rain border and funded a secret project led by Kabuto Yakushi, so she went to seek Ebizo.
• Konan told Nagato that Naruto and his companions had traveled to the Land of Snow and that the Snow Ninja Village had split apart amid internal conflict.
• Nagato condemned the great nations for trampling civilian lives and driving small nations toward destruction.

After learning that Rasa had secretly left for Konoha, Chiyo returned to Sunagakure’s center of power and organized loyal ninja to prepare for trouble. Remembering how Rasa betrayed Pakura, she mobilized Pakura’s former followers while Rasa’s Anbu began monitoring them and urged him to return.

• Ebizo told Chiyo that Rasa had abruptly gone to Konoha after his behavior changed following the Heavenly Screen’s revelations.
• Chiyo recalled choosing Rasa over Pakura as Kazekage and remembered that Rasa had secretly traded Pakura’s life for an agreement with Kirigakure.
• Chiyo asked Ebizo to contact loyal ninja, especially Pakura’s former subordinates, and returned with him to Sunagakure’s leadership.
• Chiyo ordered the loyal ninja to prepare for unexpected developments, and Iron Sand and Zhuoyan mobilized their outposts and vowed to honor Pakura.
• Yesha ordered Anbu to watch Iron Sand and Zhuoyan and sent word to Rasa that trouble was brewing in the village.
• Chiyo watched the outposts respond to her orders and hoped she was mistaken about what was coming.

Orochimaru prepared to attack Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams, using Sunagakure as a distraction and removing Tsunade and Jiraiya from the village. As the finals approached, Hiruzen Sarutobi armed himself and learned that Jiraiya had left and Sunagakure had increased its forces.

• Orochimaru and Danzo discussed waiting for the coming attack, while Danzo ordered Sai to keep monitoring Sasuke Uchiha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya suspected Orochimaru had returned, and Hiruzen assigned Jiraiya to secure the exam stands.
• Tsunade chased a figure resembling Dan Katō, but Orochimaru trapped her with blood, sealed her Chakra, and took her to an underground base.
• Orochimaru sent a special Shadow Clone to lure Jiraiya away from Konoha, and Jiraiya pursued it into the forest.
• Orochimaru headed for the exam venue while Hiruzen put on his armor and learned that Jiraiya had left and Sunagakure had deployed thirty percent more guards than declared.

Orochimaru’s attack on Konoha ended with the Third Hokage sacrificing himself to seal the reanimated Hokage and cripple Orochimaru. After Tsunade learned of the Third’s death and returned to the devastated village, she agreed to help rebuild and treat the wounded.

• Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, launched a surprise attack during Sasuke and Gaara’s match, while Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto fought Gaara in the forest.
• The Third Hokage used the Reaper Death Seal to seal the First and Second Hokage and disable Orochimaru’s hands, but died from the effort.
• Orochimaru escaped as Jiraiya led Konoha’s counterattack, and Baki ordered the Sunagakure ninja to retreat after realizing Orochimaru had used them.
• Yugao’s Anbu squad found Tsunade, who broke Orochimaru’s sealing formula and returned to Konoha after hearing that the Third had died.
• Tsunade confronted the devastation, accepted that Konoha needed a new Hokage, and went to treat the wounded as villagers mourned the Third at the Memorial Stone.
• Kakashi told a grieving Naruto that people risked their lives for others because of the Will of Fire, while Iruka vowed to keep protecting the village.

After learning that Orochimaru had manipulated Sunagakure into attacking Konoha and killed Rasa, Chiyo prepared to go to Konoha and atone. Tsunade took charge of the village’s recovery as Fifth Hokage, while Danzo, rejected as her successor, decided to seize power himself.

• Chiyo learned that Orochimaru had impersonated the Kazekage, killed Rasa, and led Sunagakure’s forces into disaster, so she decided to negotiate with Konoha and bring the captured children home.
• Chiyo considered Sunagakure’s dwindling resources and Rasa’s failed gamble, then prepared for her journey to Konoha.
• Tsunade checked on Konoha’s injured and ordered surgery for a Genin whose leg nerves were damaged.
• Baki, Temari, and Kankuro waited at their border camp, hoping Chiyo could negotiate Gaara’s return.
• Danzo confronted Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu after learning they had chosen Tsunade as Hokage, then vowed to take the position by force.

Konoha prepared for Sunagakure’s apology while the great shinobi villages reacted to the aftermath of the attack and maneuvered for advantage. As negotiations neared, Pain welcomed the prospect of war distracting the villages from Akatsuki, while Obito reaffirmed his plan to create a world of dreams.

• Tsunade and Jiraiya prepared to demand reparations from Sunagakure as Granny Chiyo led a delegation toward Konoha, where Baki purged shinobi connected to Orochimaru.
• Ōnoki withdrew forces and offered outposts to Konoha, Mei Terumi prepared for a diplomatic visit, and A put Kumogakure’s Two-Tails unit on alert as the villages responded to the shifting situation.
• Masked shinobi traded intelligence about the great villages at an underground bounty station, and Tsunade and Jiraiya ordered tighter intelligence controls.
• Pain and Konan decided that the brewing conflict would distract the great villages from Akatsuki and give the organization room to act.
• Obito rejected a report from Orochimaru’s base and vowed to make the world a beautiful dream, while black Chakra slowly eroded his childhood Hokage stone.

As Konoha rebuilt after the Chunin Exams, Tsunade and Jiraiya trained Sakura and Naruto while Sasuke grew determined to seek power from Orochimaru. Tsunade and Jiraiya mourned their former teammate and vowed to stop him, while Orochimaru planned to lure Sasuke to him.

• Konoha's residents and ninja worked together to repair the village, while Tsunade oversaw recovery and taught Sakura advanced Medical Ninjutsu.
• Jiraiya taught Naruto about gathering intelligence and surviving missions as they hauled timber.
• Sasuke recalled Sakura and Naruto's growth and resolved to defect from Konoha to find Orochimaru and gain power.
• Naruto reflected on Jiraiya's lessons, his connection with Karin, and his ambition to become a hero who protected others.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya discussed Orochimaru's crimes and vowed to stop him in honor of Konoha and their late teacher, Sarutobi.
• Orochimaru complained that Sarutobi had sealed his hands, then planned to manipulate Sasuke into becoming his next body.

Gaara reflected on his past with a clearer mind, beginning to recognize the bonds he had rejected while remaining unable to forgive his father. Karin remembered Kakashi protecting her from Danzo’s Anbu and realized that Konoha held dangers beneath its peaceful surface.

• Gaara recalled Naruto and Sakura protecting their companions and began to understand the bonds he had never known.
• Gaara remembered his siblings’ kindness with regret and recognized his father’s difficult position, but could not forgive the childhood pain he had endured.
• Gaara’s violent aura faded as he sat calmly in his prison cell and began seeking a new path.
• Karin recalled how Danzo’s Anbu had tried to take her and how Kakashi had arrived to protect her.
• Karin remembered Kakashi warning her to avoid going out alone and resolved to stay alert in Konoha.

Konoha rebuilt under Tsunade as its ninja and villagers worked together, while neighboring villages reconsidered their plans in response to its renewed strength. Mei Terumi sailed to Konoha on a diplomatic mission, hoping to forge an alliance and investigate the Uchiha Clan’s possible role in controlling the Fourth Mizukage.

• Kakashi, Might Guy, Ibiki, Anko, the clans, support staff, elders, and villagers contributed to Konoha’s reconstruction, while the Konoha 12 each helped with rebuilding, security, or recovery.
• The Raikage canceled Kumogakure’s planned invasion after learning that Tsunade had united Konoha and Jiraiya was in the village, then resumed searching for the lost Six Paths Treasures.
• Ōnoki reflected that he had wisely avoided invading Konoha and surrendered border outposts as a gesture of goodwill, while worrying about Iwagakure’s lack of capable successors.
• Mei Terumi traveled by ship to Konoha for a diplomatic mission, intending to improve Kirigakure’s image and seek an alliance.
• Mei resolved to investigate whether other Uchiha remained hidden and to uncover more about the control of the Fourth Mizukage.

Tsunade prepared Konoha for the arrival of Chiyo’s Sunagakure delegation, which sought the return of its captured ninja, including Gaara. As the delegation approached with a secret gift and an unknown Chakra signature following it, Konoha strengthened its defenses while Naruto remained eager to meet Gaara.

• Tsunade ordered Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, and the Anbu to reinforce the prison and watch the village as Sunagakure’s delegation approached.
• Naruto demanded to see Gaara, but Kakashi told him to wait until Chiyo’s delegation arrived and the political situation became clearer.
• Chiyo told Sosuke that the mission was to bring Sunagakure’s people home without starting another conflict, then sent him ahead with a secret Puppet Technique scroll for Tsunade.
• Tsunade received word that the delegation was arriving three hours early and that an unfamiliar Chakra signature was following it, so she ordered Konoha’s forces to stay alert.
• Kakashi reported that the prison guard had been strengthened and a Lightning Release barrier had been set up outside Gaara’s cell as Konoha’s medical team stood by.

The Sunagakure delegation arrived in Konoha to negotiate peace, while Sosuke worried about the village’s future and its imprisoned Jinchūriki. As Tsunade prepared for the talks amid Danzo’s demands for punishment and the looming Heavenly Screen countdown, Obito and Pain focused on finding the Six-Tails Jinchūriki and gathering the Tailed Beasts.

• Granny Chiyo led the Sunagakure delegation into Konoha, where Tsunade welcomed them and arranged lodging before negotiations the next morning.
• Sosuke worried that Sunagakure would suffer unless the talks secured favorable terms, and Granny Chiyo warned him not to act rashly.
• Tsunade overruled Danzo’s call to punish Sunagakure, while Jiraiya argued that peace was necessary and warned that the Heavenly Screen countdown was nearly over.
• Obito questioned Pain about the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, then urged him to find the Six-Tails Jinchūriki and wait for the Three-Tails to be reborn.
• Pain declared that he would gather the Tailed Beasts and use absolute pain to force the world to understand peace.